Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to ethylene: Mechanistic approach

• Ethylene was selectively produced from CO2 by the electrochemical process.
• The CO2 conversion process takes place at a three-phase interface.
• The ethylene production is driven by the electricity from renewable energy.
• CO2 can be utilized as an energy carrier for renewable energy.
• The mechanism explains the efficient and selective conversion of CO2 to ethylene.

It has been appraised that the world energy spending will more than double by 2050. The global energy depends mostly on fossil fuels at present, while the estimated amount of fossil-fuel deposits goes on decreasing. The greater part of fossil fuels may be exhausted within next hundred years. In view of this situation, the electrochemical and selective conversion process of CO2 to ethylene that can be driven by the electricity derived from renewable energy is attractive, since CO2 can be utilized as an energy carrier regardless of fossil fuel. The developed CO2 conversion process takes place under rather specific conditions involving three-phase (gas/solution/solid) interface, concentrated solution of potassium halide, low pH, and copper or Cu(I) halide-confined metal electrode. Herein, the bases for leading to the augmentation of the efficiency and selectivity in the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to ethylene are discussed in association with the reduction pathway.

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